In the Classroom: Illuminated Manuscripts

Kerstin Davis subbed for Ms. Ollis at Bowman Middle School. Her 8th grade students are studying the Middle Ages and reading Crispin – a novel set in the Middle Ages. Kerstin brought in examples of illuminated manuscript pages and taught students about this aspect of medival culture, and also touched on the impact of the invention of the printing press.

Students then drew and painted with egg tempera and gold leaf (the same materials medieval monks used). They chose images from Crispin, fanciful lettering, or something from their discussion – and illuminated their own manuscript pages.